At least 2 dead at South Korea construction site collapse, fire agency says

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In the city of Cheonan, five 50-meter steel structures supporting the highway bridge collapse one after another after being hoisted into place by a crane

SEOUL, South Korea – At least two people died and five were injured on Tuesday after a collapse at a highway construction site in the South Korean city of Cheonan, fire authorities said.

The accident took place at 9:49 am (0049 GMT) when five 50-meter (164.04 ft) steel structures supporting the highway bridge collapsed one after another after being hoisted into place by a crane, the Yonhap news agency reported.

Earlier, Yonhap reported three deaths, but the national fire agency said that two people had died so far and five were injured, including four who were in a critical condition.

Authorities were also searching for another three people who were thought to be buried under rubble at the site, it said.

Broadcaster YTN aired dramatic footage showing a deck of a towering bridge collapsing at the site in Cheonan, south of the capital Seoul.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok called to mobilize all available personnel and resources to rescue any missing people and to ensure safety measures to prevent further damage, his office said. – Rappler.com